I think I would have gotten this in a game situation. I rarely miss a check by my knight - particularly when it isn't a sacrifice move. And I'm usually aware of what my Queen controls. And in this case, there were no alternative moves to debate over.

EDIT--Well, looking back at it, I suppose in a game I might be focusing on that threatening black knight at d1, and might think of taking it with my queen. but the checkmate sequence is just too obvious to ignore.